Ultralight Backpacking: Why You Should Embrace the UL Hiking Philosophy

At mile 19 on day two a familiar fatigue had set in. Weighed down by a massive 35 pound pack, searing pain sprouted between my shoulder blades, thighs burned, heels hurt. The faces of my hiking partners told a similar story—uncomfortable, and accepting. This wasn’t our first backpacking trip. Far from it. We knew the feeling well. The juice would be worth the squeeze, we told ourselves. The discomfort was just part of the backpacking experience. Years later I discovered it didn’t have to be.

In the world of going out into nature with all you need on your back, most people fall into one of two camps, traditional or lightweight, with the vast majority of outdoor recreationalists firmly seated in the former. I did. Maybe you do, too. But what’s the difference? And what changed my perspective? A single ultralight backpack is the answer to the second question. As to the first, let’s dive in.

Traditional vs Ultralight Backpacking (vs Lightweight)

The traditional backpacking checklist includes the “10 Essentials” plus a comfortable-sized tent, sleeping setup, and a change of clothes or two—and don't forget the comfort items like a deck of cards, small lantern, and camp shoes, plus a few “just in case” items like emergency layers, spare fuel canisters, extra food, etc because “you never know.” The common sense theme of traditional backpacking says the longer the trip, the more gear you need to bring. Packed in a 50 to 65 liter capacity backpack from a major brand like Osprey, Deuter, Gregory, REI, etc, the typical traditional backpack for three nights will likely weigh around 35 pounds or more. Keep in mind this the base weight, meaning the total weight of all items in the pack, including the pack, but not including consumables like food and water.

The lightweight backpacking approach refines the essentials, embraces a “less is more” attitude—or better yet, “every ounce counts”—and eliminates weight at every opportunity, aiming for a base weight of 20 pounds or below. Ultralight hiking (aka UL) brings base weight down to just 10 pounds. Lightweight and UL hikers will swap a tent for a tarp or shelter, a sleeping bag for a down quilt, an air mattress for a pad or even a half-length foam pad, and often sleep in the same clothes they hike in. Ultralight packs weigh around one pound when empty, and max out around 30 liters in carrying capacity. The goal is to carry nothing more than one needs to achieve their goal, and nothing less than is necessary to do so comfortably, safely, and precisely. Here, or somewhere around it, is the realm of most hardcore thru-hikers.

The idea behind both ultralight and lightweight backpacking is that a hiker carrying less weight can travel farther, faster, while expending less energy. Less pack weight also translates to less impact on already overburdened trails and in off-trail travel too, meaning a literal lighter footprint on Mother Earth and her fragile plants and soil. This philosophy requires more trust in one’s own ability and their (often specialized) gear.

Brands like Hyperlight Mountain Gear and Gossamer Gear have helped bring UL hiking into the mainstream, with ultralight packs made of Dyneema, sleeping quilts, and ultralight shelters now being readily available online and in big box retailers like REI.

(Ed Note: there are no concrete rules or technical standards to govern or define these categories or genres of backpacking, and definitions often evolve, much as the actives and their requisite gear have and will continue to. So, pls bear with me.)

Backpacking's Past and the Future of Ultralight Hiking

Since the 1960s backpacking has looked very traditional—massive packs fit for an intrepid expedition, whether you were truly on one or not. This persists today as the most universally accepted approach to backpacking. It’s the norm and for most, that’s that. But does it have to be? (Spoiler: No.)

In the early 1990s American rock climber Ray Jardine published a handbook for hiking the then lesser known Pacific Crest Trail, which runs 2,650 miles from the Mexico border up through California, Oregon, and Washington to Canada. In it, and in subsequent editions, Jardine evangelized the benefits of carrying less and moving faster. Others began to do the same, and more took note. The lightweight and ultralight movements began to grow, slowly.

In more recent decades the lightweight and UL community has moved largely online, growing considerably in the process. Online forums and social media platforms allow enthusiasts from around the world to connect and share trail beta, design hacks, and planning advice. And the community is thriving, driven by an ingrained DIY ethos and a deep love of gear—and for telling others about your lighter gear.

Whereas once the only way to learn was to do, or know someone that had or did, one can now type nearly any question imaginable into Reddit or YouTube and find an informed conversation, lengthy list of comments, or even a high-def comparison video if the question is about ultralight gear, as it most often is. At the fingertips of any would-be hiker now exists a wealth of community-based resources made by enthusiastic creators eager to share their hard-earned experiences and knowledge. (Yes, UL influencers do exist. And their YouTube videos garner millions of views.)

With minimal effort, prospective thru-hikers, aspirational outdoorists, and armchair enthusiasts alike can learn the science behind cold soak meal prep, thru-hike resupply strategy, how to pitch a minimalist shelter using paracord and trekking poles, what the best sleeping pad is and how to DIY your own, and so on. The wealth of hyper specific educational content is truly incredible.

And as we’ve seen across the outdoor industry, the pandemic proved a boon for lightweight and UL backpacking, too. Take for example r/Ultralight subreddit, the largest online community of UL backcountry backpackers. In March 2017, after a handful of years in existence, the sub had steadily grown to 40,000 subscribers. By March 2020 that number had risen to 170,000. Then doubled by June 2021. And as of September 2024, it's eclipsed 684,000 subs. Insane.

Growing right along with the number of interested participants is an equally core cottage industry of makers. From Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon, Charlottesville to Bozeman, micro companies and DIY workshops churn out hand-sewn packs, ultralight tents, quilts, apparel, and everything else the ultralight hiker may need to navigate the trail with as low a pack weight as possible.

Ultralight Backpacking Trends

Run by hikers making products inspired by personal experience and he failures of mainstream gear manufacturers, these hyper specific brands use the aforementioned platforms and community hub retailers like Garage Grown Gear to sell limited-edition and custom items made to the unique specs of highly discerning customers. The ultralight camping gear is perfectly minimal at best, crude yet functional at worst. But always being tweaked, iterated, and improved by personal use and community feedback. Success is the shared goal, whether on a thru-hike or with a new design.

A select few companies have evolved beyond the core cottage industry, now existing proudly on the periphery of mainstream outdoor culture. But small, DIY and R&D driven brands still reign supreme in the UL community.

The UL hiking community is by no means immune to trends. Sun hoodies and trail runners have effectively replaced the button down trail shirts and hiking shoots you would have expected to see on most thru-hikers even a couple years ago. Polartec Alpha fleece and Dyneema—formerly known as Cuben fiber, the exalted material that's stronger than steel by weight—are widely used materials for their unrivaled benefit to weight ratio. Other trends hitting the space now are running vest straps packs—courtesy of the fastpacking maniacs—and surprisingly, pad pumps. "They are blowing up!" Lloyd Vogel, founder of Garage Grown Gear tells me. (Nice one Lloyd.)

Unlike old school and traditional backpacking bags, most ultralight packs have no frame—instead, hikers will often use a foam sitpad in the pack to create shape in their frameless pack, or forgo structure altogether and let their down quilts or jackets fill in every nook and cranny instead. Most ultralight backpacks feature a tube-like roll top design that is functional in keeping the elements out but annoying when you need to access something at the bottom.

Personally I use the iconic, 1.88 lb Hyperlight Mountain Gear Junction, though in the many years since its release dozens of lighter packs have become available. Below are some of the most popular and innovative ultralight backpacking brands on the market now, crowd sourced from our community of hikers and personal experience—and friends like GGG's Vogel.

15 Ultralight Backpacking Brands to Know

• Hyperlight Mountain Gear: Backpacks, quilts, shelters, accessories
• Z Packs: Backpacks, ultralight sleeping bag, quilts, shelters, apparel
• Gossamer Gear: Backpacks, shelters, trekking poles
• Bonfus: Backpacks & shelters
• LiteAF: Custom ultralight packs and Dyneema accessories
• Allmansright: Custom backpacks and accessories (read profile here)
• Six Moon Designs: Backpacks, ultralight tents, tarps, and umbrellas
• Mountain Laurel Designs: Backpacks, tarps, tents, bivys
• Pa'lante Packs: Backpacks and apparel
• Nashville Packs: Custom backpacks and running vests
• Tarptent: Tents, tarps, shelters
• Zenbovy: Quilts and innovative sleep system solutions (gear review)
• Enlightened Equipment: Quilts and apparel
• Katabatic Gear: Down quilts and apparel
• CNOC Outdoors: Lightweight water storage solutions

How UL Hiking Changed My Perspective

Ahead of my first trip with the Junction, I leaned into the DIY mentality and challenged myself to rethink a lifetime of experience and embrace this new way of UL thinking. I was skeptical but encouraged, and eventually cut my base weight down to around 15 lbs for a three night, 30 mile hike. Buying a scale and cataloging items in a spreadsheet was hugely instrumental in the process, even if embarrassingly nerdy. Approaching it as a fun, personal challenge helped, too. Mike Clelland’s “Ultralight Backpackin’ Tips” was invaluable.

The first day on the trail with the Junction on my back changed my whole perspective on backcountry travel. And I don’t say that lightly. I felt stronger and faster. Unlike on all previous hikes, I spent almost no time thinking about what was on my back, which freed up time and mental energy to take in my surroundings and let my mind wander freely. Even with minimal research and just half a day of hiking under my belt, I was totally converted.

I began to consider other ways to customize my hiking gear, how to save more pack weight. I pondered the benefits of equipment systems and the use of packing pods and stuff sacks. I went so far as to envision ways to adjust my winter backcountry pack list ahead of future splitboard missions. And as my family hiking partners can attest, I began enthusiastically (read: annoyingly) encouraging them to embrace a quasi-UL mentality, too.

As I watched my dad and uncle hoof it up a hill towards day two of our annual hike, nearly buckling under the weight of traditional 60 and 75 liter packs, I began to imagine my own future. I’m impressed with and proud of the two for enthusiastically hiking dozens of miles with me each summer, but I couldn’t help but wonder how much longer they could carry such heavy loads, such backbreaking labor.

Lightweight and ultralight backpacking seems to be the realm of young, healthy, fit hikers taking on the world’s most challenging long trails—the triple crown of PCT, CDT, and AT is a common goal. But wouldn’t lighter setups have an equally great or even greater positive impact on a lifelong hiker approaching 70, or even 80? What about hikers with disabilities, or hikers with body types not traditionally accepted as athletic?

Grandma Gatewood is a known early pioneer of ultralight hiking, having thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1955 with just a duffel bag, army blanket, sheet of plastic, umbrella, and a few other simple items. The lesson is clear—lighter loads and a conscious approach make backcountry travel easier for effectively everyone, regardless of age, stamina, or experience.

The Benefits of Ultralight Hiking

The universal benefits of ultralight backpacking are there for anyone willing to try. Lighter packs reduce physical strain on the body, allowing hikers to move faster, hike longer, and feel less fatigued. This enhances endurance, agility, and balance, making it easier to navigate challenging terrains and reducing the risk of injuries. The lighter load also improves comfort, allowing hikers to enjoy the journey with less discomfort and better mental focus.

Additionally, ultralight hiking encourages a minimalist mindset, simplifying gear management and fostering greater awareness of Leave No Trace principles. This approach not only reduces environmental impact but also helps hikers develop valuable skills like efficient packing and improvising with fewer items. Overall, ultralight hiking promotes a more enjoyable, sustainable, and immersive outdoor experience, allowing hikers to connect more deeply with nature.

And it may be easier to embrace UL than you might think. A common stigma against lightweight and ultralight gear is that the equipment is too expensive and elitist. In reality, that is not always true. To achieve such a low base pack weight, ultralight hikers carry an extremely condensed packing list. An oversimplified position is: fewer items carried means fewer items to buy and less money spent.

Similarly, equipment like packs, ultralight backpacking tents, tarps, or hammocks (“shelters" in UL speak), and specialized sleep systems (sleeping bag or quilt, pad, pillow) are consciously minimal, with fewer bits and bobs that could potentially fail. When properly cared for, these items can outlast traditional backpacking gear that tends to experience much harsher treatment. A closed cell foam pad costs a fraction of the price of a NeoAir Xlite sleeping pad (and likely offers a fraction of the comfort, too, but for the ultralight backpacker that’s beside the point). Many hikers opt for alcohol stoves made of cut up aluminum cans or tuna tins. Surely that’s more cost effective than an MSR PocketRocket (my personal stove of choice).

As with most any product, be it a hammer, stereo, or the best ultralight backpack, you get what you pay for. Another sweeping generalization, but one that tends to hold true nonetheless. Fancy materials like Dyneema cut weight, and add cost. A handmade, ultralight pack may run you $150 to $350, but the bomber construction with no frills to fail means a longer lifespan than some conventional packs two to three times the size and weight.

In the end, everything we do in life is up to personal opinion and comfort level. Some of us can sleep soundly on a two foot strip of 1/8” foam. Others need a 5 lb air mattress. Even still, some prefer a cozy cabin or glamping tent. And that’s fine—there is no single right way to experience nature. Though doing so with a lighter load may make the experience more enjoyable.

Who knows, you might just have an inner ounce counter hiding inside you, just waiting to hit the trail—and the Reddit message boards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ultralight backpacking?

Ultralight backpacking is a hiking style that emphasizes carrying the least amount of weight possible by using lightweight gear and minimizing pack contents, enhancing speed, comfort, and efficiency while reducing physical strain and environmental impact.

What weight is ultralight backpacking?

True ultralight backpacking typically involves carrying a base weight (excluding food, water, and fuel) of under 10 pounds (4.5 kg). Many consider a base weight of under 20 pounds to be lightweight, and thus tangentially under the "UL" umbrella as well.

Is ultralight backpacking worth it?

Ultralight backpacking is worth it for those seeking reduced physical strain, increased hiking speed, and greater comfort, though it requires careful planning, gear investment, and a minimalist mindset.